Fall-outs, Finances and Farce

Chairmen are either supported or suspected in football and the start to September has seen Colchester's Robbie Cowling and Ron Martin of Southend walk the tightrope between the two.

Colchester have already had probably the liveliest start to a season in many years with the 7-1 win at Norwich followed by the defection of boss Paul Lambert to the Norfolk side just 10 days later.

Cowling refused to get drawn into a public slanging match, but was at pains to point out Norwich have broken certain rules in their approach for Lambert and Colchester would respond by employing a manager with a better track record.

Many pundits and fans waited to hear the millionaire businessman have to swallow those words until Aidy Boothroyd walked through the doors at The Community Stadium.

Boothroyd is a big name in the game having led Watford to the Premier League and FA Cup semi-final. He was linked with virtually every vacancy which came up and there is no doubt it is a coup to get him.

It could be a gamble for the new manager as, after managing in the top flight, failure at a League One club could damage his CV and reputation. But he will be given the time to do the job and Cowling has already told BBC Essex it is a three-year project and he expects Boothroyd to be around to see that through (maybe he is not in such a rush as the last man was).

It is hoped a new regime will bring a period of stability but within hours, the position of first team manager was advertised, even though Gary Phillips was appointed only last month

Glenn Speller on Grays

Meanwhile, Norwich still have not settled the compensation for poaching Lambert and his cohorts, maybe Delia needs a few more repeat fees to pay the bill.

Southend United have endured a difficult start to the season, mainly off the pitch.

Rumours have abounded of financial problems and when two first teamers leave on loan with no replacements it is difficult not to come to the same conclusion and that is why we put that question to chairman Ron Martin on Essex Sport last Friday.

He has moved to reassure fans there is not a financial crisis and a £660,000 tax bill will be paid by the deadline at the end of October. He told us there is a budget to bring in three players on loan to help manager Steve Tilson. The new ground is also on course to be completed by the start of the 2010/2011 season.

All this should be music to the ears of Blues supporters but there are those who are waiting for the actions to match the words. Sometimes the benefit of the doubt should come first.

Meantime, down at Albert Square, erm, I mean Grays Athletic, the latest act in the soap opera has seen former manager (three times) and chairman (just the once I think), Mick Woodward step down as chief executive but retain his shareholding in the club he has poured thousands of pounds into.

It is hoped a new regime will bring a period of stability but within hours, the position of first team manager was advertised, even though Gary Phillips was appointed only last month.

Woodward went through 12 bosses in three years so we should not be surprised, should we?

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.